Not quite there yet

New York Knicks’ Michael Beasley (8) celebrates after scoring a three point shot during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden in New York, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

NEW YORK—The Knicks are headed into the Christmas Day game in the manner that best describes their season so far: On the verge of something positive but also on the edge of failure. The ambivalence can be seen in their record. At 17-15, they look like a team that could make a playoff run but still fall into losses that lead critics to say they should tank the season.

They have won five of their last seven matches, but the last two matches show just how much the Knicks lack the kind of consistency to be legitimate playoff contenders—but then can be fun to watch when they hit their stride.

Against the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics last Thursday, Michael Beasley came up with a huge game—32 points and 12 rebounds—that had the Madison Square Garden crowd serenading the well-traveled former No. 2 pick with “MVP!” chants. Beasley dismissed the cheers, saying they were most likely for star Kristaps Porzingis, who was returning from an injury-forced break.

“It’s nice to hear but I am pretty sure it’s for KP,” said Beasley. “I’m just here for the team. Whatever they need, whenever they need. Scoring, rebounding, defense. I just try my best.”

But it’s not like Beasley did not revel in being the man of the moment.

Pressed by reporters, he said he knew he had a hot hand way before his third quarter breakout that rescued the Knicks. In fact, he knew he was going to have a good scoring night 28 years ago.

“January 9, 1989,” said Beasley, referring to his birth date, as if to remind everyone that he always had faith in his scoring abilities long before he helped New York to a 102-93 victory over Boston.

Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek did not need the reminder.

“Mike, he can do a lot of things with the ball. He was the second pick in the draft 10 years ago, after all. He’s talented and you all saw that tonight,” he said.

“If KP’s out he obviously gets the bigger minutes. I thought he played great in filling in for him. He really helped us get some points on the board. Defensively, I liked what he was doing. He’s definitely a rotation guy for us. We have still Tim (Hardaway Jr.) out. That enables us to put Lance (Thomas) in there a little bit more so Mike’s still going to get that rotation,” added Hornacek.

Beasley, who struggled with substance abuse in his early days in Miami, bounced around the league and became an MVP in China before joining the Knicks. He has settled well into his role as a reliable sub after getting a few starts early in the season.

In fact, according to Elias Sports Bureau, he is the only nonstarting Knick to have ever scored 32 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

“Coming off the bench, starting, whatever the team needs I’m going to do,” Beasley said. “If the team needs me to sit on the end of the bench and be a cheerleader then give me my pompoms.”

It was perfect timing, too. Porzingis struggled in his return, missing all 11 shots from the field.

“Michael Beasley had my back tonight,” Porzingis said.

“Thanks to me the game was closer and I kept it close,” joked the Latvian superstar. “Kobe [Bryant] says you miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take. Today I missed all hundred.”

There was laughter. It was a good night. There was one more match to deal with before their Christmas Day game—their 52nd in NBA history, a league record.

But just as it looked like the Knicks would ride into that match on a one-horse open sleigh, they got Grinched on Friday night, losing to the Detroit Pistons, 104-101. Ironically, Porzingis had 29 points in that game, although he missed a desperation three that could have saved New York.

Just the Knicks being the Knicks. Maybe a little Christmas spirit can help them get going. And going, a little bit more consistently.